Photo: “Buzztown” skit a favorite with festival goers

This year’s Verona Cattail Festival created a new buzz with the addition of the original musical skit “Buzztown” to its on-stage stellar line up.

Written by David Archibald specifically for the festival, the musical skit starred members of the community, including the popular and beloved Cameron the Bog Lemming. The play had two runs during the festival and was a big hit with festival-goers. The skit tells the tale of community underdogs beating the greedy big wigs. In it, Buzztown residents led by Morgan (Lauren Clarke Ross) and Connor (Samantha Johns) foil the plans of the greedy Reeve (Dick Miller) and Bunny Duckweek (Deborah Spaar-Mueller) who want to destroy the Buzztown bog, home of Cameron the Bog Lemming, to make way for a new golf course/condo development. Morgan and Connor, with the support of the locals, make a video that goes viral and after much song, dance and hi-jinks, manage of course to save the day.

John McDougall, one of the play’s directors, says the production will evolve into a sequel next year. “The skit is the perfect thread that ties the whole Cattail brand of the Festival together. We have never had a play or musical in our 16-year festival history so it is something fun, and definitely something that we will build on every year.”

On the topic of cattails, volunteer crafters busied young festival goers with hands-on demonstrations of a wide variety of cattail crafts, including hats, ducks, boats, place-mats, reindeer ornaments and more. The festival offered up not only an impressive star-studded line up of musical guests over the three days but also ran its always popular events, including the duct tape boat races, the soap box derby, the celebrity dunk tank, the dog show, the Verona train ride, mini golf, the antique car show, the artisans’ market, and of course the Saturday morning parade. The shuttle bus carried visitors to the various event locations throughout the festival grounds

The festival’s general manager, Wayne Conway, was pleased with the turn out and grateful that the rain held off for the duration of the event. ”We're really pleased with the ways things ran and are hoping to continue to attract even more music lovers to the festival thanks to the hard work of our entertainment committee.” The musical talent on stage this year was a definite highlight and included numerous talented groups from near and far, including blues powerhouse Ila Vann, who opened the festival on Friday night; Luthor Wright and the Wrongs; The Beatles tribute band The Rattles; and triple-treat Celtic Bluegrass songstress/fiddle player and step dancer Kelli Trottier, who closed the festival on Sunday afternoon.

Kudos to all of the festival organizers and volunteers who have once again not only created a worthwhile and well thought out community event, but have given festival goers many fine memories to last them until the show goes on again next summer.

Photo: Roger Savage and Denis Warnett of St. Jerome, QC in Verona, two of 2000 cyclists in Verona

Price Charles Public School in Verona was transformed into a cyclists’ rest stop as over 2000 bikers filled the school grounds during their seven-day scenic bike tour of the Rideau Canal and 1000 Islands. The stop was one of many for the bikers participating in Vélo Québec’s 2011 Grand Tour Desjardins, a 1000 km plus scenic tour that began in Brockville, and which will end there on August 12. This summer’s tour was the first time in the tour’s 18-year history that organizers chose Ontario for their 2011 tour destination. Chantal Gagno, the summer event coordinator for Vélo Québec said, “We are here because it is beautiful and also because veteran cyclists who return year after year are always looking to explore new settings that offer new challenges.”

Chantal explained the logistics of providing a mid-day stop for the 2000 participants who had departed from Perth the same morning. “We have to have a place that can house the cyclists in case of bad weather and also a place that is traffic friendly, and safe for the bikers to get to.” Chantal's team contacted local OPP, who managed traffic at the intersection of the Westport Road and Road 38 in Godfrey, where a steady stream of bikers continued through for most of Sunday morning and early afternoon. The lunch time stop in Verona included a catered lunch, a first aid and bike mechanic’s tent, as well as a water tent where bikers could refill their stores before heading on to Napanee, where they would spend the second night of the tour. Participants are given the option of camping as a group along the way or staying in nearby hotels. At the final stop of the day cyclists are provided with a delicious hot catered meal and can enjoy an evening of local entertainment, all prearranged in advance by the tour organizers. While in Verona I spoke to Denis Warnett, a 62-year-old cyclist from St. Jerome, QC who is participating in his 14th tour. Denis works in building supplies and manufacturing in Quebec and sees the trip as relaxing way to unwind from work and a great way to meet people. “When you get on your bike and ride, that is the only thing that you are thinking about - that and where to get your first beer at the end of the day.”

The tour included cyclists from ages 13-75 and Chantal said that numbers were up this year for the first ever Ontario tour. So it may not be the last time that we experience 2000 cyclists passing through Frontenac County. For more information about Vélo Québec, a non-profit organization that works hard to promote cycling, you can visit their website at www.velo.qc.ca/en/Home

Photo: Seven-year-old Gabriel Hull proudly displays his fourth fish of the day at the second annual Family Fishing Day in Verona on July 9. Nearly 50 kids, plus parents pre-registered for the event and enjoyed a free barbecue lunch and prizes. The event was organized by the Frontenac Stewardship Council and the Verona Community Association. by Meghan Balogh

Close to 50 children, many of them first-time anglers, attended Verona's second annual Family Fishing Day at McMullen beach at Verona Lake, a.k.a. Rock Lake. Co-hosted by the Frontenac Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Verona Community Association (VCA), the event is gaining in popularity since it began. Cam McCauley, coordinator with the FSC, was pleased with the turnout and said the goal of the event is to “Get families outside to enjoy the great outdoors and fishing in particular.” The free event is a favorite for children and adults, and it coincides with the MNR's family fishing week so anglers need no licenses to fish. The majority of fish caught were sunfish, perch, and bass. VCA member Linda Bates helped organize the event and said “It is a great event not just for the local economy, but also for the entire community. Those who came had a blast. The event provides an opportunity to those who might not otherwise get a chance to fish on the lake.” Rods were supplied for those without, and a free BBQ lunch was provided as well.

New Sydenham Branch Library Opens Monday

Sydenham’s library has closed, and for the rest of the week library staff will be moving material to the new building. The ‘soft’ opening of the new library will be Monday July 11, at 10:00 am, when Mayor Davison will welcome a very special first patron. (The official opening date is Monday September 19, also at 10:00 am.)

Council received a letter from Chief KFPL Librarian Deborah Defoe thanking them on behalf of the library Board for their ongoing support of libraries in South Frontenac. “While the beautiful new building in Sydenham is an outstanding example, the allocation of funds to refurbish the Storrington Branch is equally appreciated.” She also reported that the library board had passed a motion in May asking that the Verona Project identified in the KFPL Branch Services Master Plan (a 5,000 to 6,000 square foot library building in Verona) be included in the South Frontenac 10-year Capital Plan. Councillor Ron Vandewal commented that although he agreed with the need to move forward, this size of project would have to depend on outside funding, similar to the provincial/federal grants that made it possible to build the new Sydenham branch.

Grass Drags Issue Drags On

Council denied third reading of a resolution which would have permanently rezoned a portion of the Bill Day farm in order to get it off the books before the August 2nd council meeting. The planner has been directed to bring a temporary use by-law to that meeting, outlining the requirements etc. which would permit a limited amount of racing for one year only. There will be a public meeting that evening before Council votes on the issue. CAO Orr said the new by-law and site plan will come in final form, so that if Council wishes, all three readings could be completed at that meeting, and approval would be given.

Ron Vandewal said that unless there was new information, he would be prepared to pass the temporary use by-law. Most of Council seemed to agree, except for Mayor Davison, who said he was not in favour unless there were more safeguards in place, addressing the neighbours’ concerns.

Verona Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

A public meeting at which County representatives outlined the proposed Verona CIP raised no comment from the several Verona residents who were present. The plan outlines four different financial incentive programs involving matching grants of up to $2,500 to help individuals and businesses improve community appearances, amenities and safety, as well as building conditions and land use. There is also a loan program to further assist projects and a grant program to help cover attendant municipal fees. Council approved the CIP, which is expected to run for four years. Further details are available through the township office, or on the township website.

Parks Maintenance Complaints

In response to complaints about garbage accumulating at parks in Sydenham and Verona, CAO Orr noted that the maintenance contracts call for twice-a-week pick-up. Because the local representatives on the recreation committees tend to be the first line of contact, they have all been provided with lists of the contractors, and details of the contract requirements. They will be sent follow-up letters with the same information. Councillor Vandewal asked why there were so many complaints this year, if the garbage situation had been under control with twice-weekly pickup other years?

Photo: Dick Miller in The Maircroft Enigma

Verona Lions Hall was the scene of a crime on March 26 when Partners in Crime of Inverary presented “The Maircroft Enigma” by Robert Lawton as a fundraiser for the Verona Lions. This was the first time the Lions hosted this kind of mystery/dinner theatre event and judging from the crowd, it will likely not be the last.

The cast included Verona resident Dick Miller as Brewster Worthing. Diners were invited to help solve the crime that took place in 2003 at the Maircroft Hotel in Torquay, a seaside resort in Devonshire where a plethora of strange, suspicious and potentially fatal happenings had recently occurred.

Vice-president of the Verona Lions, Louise Day, was thrilled with the turnout and said, “It's going really well and I can definitely see doing this again.” All the funds raised will go towards a number of community projects that the Verona Lions are undertaking in the community.

A consultant who is working on the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for the hamlet of Verona said last week that it might take “more bold measures than simply upgrading street signs and awnings in front of existing businesses to make a real difference.

“One of the problems Verona has,” said Derek Crowley of the IBE consulting goup, “is that it does not have enough of a brand identity, and branding starts, I'm afraid, with the name of a place.”

Crowley was speaking to a small group that met at Mom's restaurant to prepare proposals for a larger meeting scheduled for this Friday, April 1st.”

Verona, he said, could be a good name if the connection to the famous northern Italian City, with its storied history and 48 towers, was more “palpable” Crowley said.

But based upon input from the public at last month's kickoff meeting for the CIP, Crowley said there were a number of compelling ideas that came forward, none of which had any thing to do with Italy.

“A name that connects to the real vibrant culture of Verona, Ontario perhaps one that has something to do with the history of the place or with the Verona Festival, would bring in a lot more traffic to main street,” Crowley said. “But only members of the community can decide on just the right name. A name should fit like a glove.”

South Frontenac Mayor Gary Davison said that he did not know what the process would be to change the name of Verona, and that it “would certainly involve council, but it is not something South Frontenac would take on without clear direction from the people in Verona. We're not going to get into another fight like we did over Sydenham water just for a name.”

Central Frontenac Mayor, Janety Gutowski, who said she was attending the meeting as an “interested observer”, noted “this kind of thing is best dealt with at the County level, where there are resources available to make name changes.”

Some at the meeting saw potential in the idea and some possible names were tossed out.

Names that were bandied about varied from “Reville”, in reference to the largest employer in Verona, to Verona Festival related names such as “Cattail City”, “Cameron” and “Lemmington”. On a more Loyalist note, “Prince Charles” was also mentioned, as well as “Middleton”, a reference to both the location of the hamlet in Frontenac County and the potential of drawing for visiting royalty this summer for a naming ceremony.

Portland District Councillor John Macdougall said that the whole idea made him rather nervous.

“We really should look up the history of the name Verona before we do anything here,” he said.

“Just don't touch the name Harrowsmith. There would be something to pay if that was even suggested,” said Councillor Bill Robinson.

“What I like most about Verona is that is it mainly located on Road 38, and how narrow the street is,” said Mike Keene (photo left) of Fo-Tenn Consulting at a kick-off meeting for the Verona Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that was held at the Verona Lions Hall last Thursday, February 24.

The concentration of businesses and houses along the stretch of main street in Verona was one of the reasons that Verona was chosen as the first community in Frontenac County to have a community improvement plan done.

About 60 of the 75 or so people who came out to the meeting remained until the end of a presentation by Keene, assisted by Peter Young of Frontenac County.

Keene explained that CIPs are not a new tool for helping to bring new energy to rural towns seeking a revival.

“Gananoque has one in place, as does Campbellford and Stirling,” Keene said.

In Gananoque the improvement plan includes a heritage street sign, and a facade improvement plan that offers rebates to business owners who invest in improvements to the look and accessibility of their establishments. The plan is being augmented with a new cultural policy this year.

“What I appreciate about the Gananoque plan is that small investments can make large changes. Gananoque has dished out about $24,000 and businesses have put in $50,000. The numbers aren't huge but the changes are noticeable,” Keene said.

Under the Ontario Municipal Act, municipalities are severely limited in the ways they can spend public funds. That's why Community Improvement Plans were established under the Ontario Planning Act. CIPs are one of the few ways that municipalities can invest their own money or money they can access through grants directly to businesses and individuals in their jurisdiction.

CIPs require a public process, and also require that fixed boundaries for the improvement area be established.

“In the case of Verona, those boundaries could be the hamlet boundaries that are encompassed by the township’s zoning bylaw,” Keene said, “or they could be expanded. That is one of the things that will be decided through the public process. If there are granting programs they do not have to be restricted to businesses. Homeowners and not-for profit organizations can be eligible as well.”

The people at the meeting were given an opportunity to mark down specific suggestions about the kind of community improvement plan they would like to see in Verona. They did so by writing down suggestions, putting sticky tabs on specific locations on a large map, and talking their ideas up to their neighbours. These ideas included sidewalk improvement, signage, and others.

Some of the suggestions will be included in the Community Improvement Plan itself, and others may be pursued through other means, by groups that form or by the municipality itself

A meeting will be called for early April, after the information gathered at the meeting and through other research is completed. The plan itself will start to take shape at that meeting.

“I'm really glad to see so many people out tonight,” said Mike Keene, “it shows how strong Verona is and how much can be achieved.”

In addition to members of the public and members of the Verona Community Association, there was also a strong contingent from the township council in attendance, including Mayor Davison, Portland Councilors McDougall and Robinson, and Councilors Vandewal and York. Central Frontenac Councilor Bill Snyder was on hand as well.

Once the Verona plan is underway, a number of others are contemplated throughout the county.

Photo: Mr. Schneider's grade 2/3 class at PCPS

Students at Prince Charles PS in Verona had a chance to win a cake and eat it too as they and their families got creative in the kitchen, baking cakes for the school’s annual Valentine’s Day cake raffle.

The cakes came in all shapes, colours and sizes and every student had a chance to bid on their favorites. The event is a fundraiser for the Parent Council at PCPS and helps them put on regular events like the Grade 8 graduation, the school-wide free skate at the Frontenac Community Arena, the pancake breakfast and also to purchase gym equipment.

Nicki Gowdy, who chairs the Parent Council said, “The kids absolutely love it and it is a chance for them to be creative in the kitchen.”

Photo: Nancy Lansdell, John McDougall and Louise Day

In an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Verona and area Find-a-Doc Campaign, the committee of the same name has published a community cookbook. Aptly named “Our Community Cookbook”, the collection offers cooks a plethora of tried, tested and true recipes as well as a history of the local area. All profits generated from its sales will be used by the Verona and District Health Services committee as part of their campaign to purchase the Verona Medical Clinic, which they hope will be an incentive to attract a new doctor to the community.

Edited by Nancy Lansdell, assisted by June Goodberry, and with photos by Louise Day and Barb Stewart, Lansdell describes the book as” much more than a cookbook.”

The book opens with a look back to dining out in Verona and includes a copy of the menu from Browns Lunch, the old pool hall/restaurant run by Alfreda and Ben Lappen from 1948- 1963 where five cents could buy you a burger. 

The books also includes factual histories of Verona,  Godfrey and Hartington as well as historic photos of specific area landmarks like Doc Goodfellow’s house and the White Pines Pavilion.

Interspersed throughout the book are helpful charts and kitchen guides like: How to test an oven without a thermometer.

Nancy stands by the recipes. “When people attach their name to a recipe, you can bet that it’s going to be good.”

Lansdell had the book typeset, printed and bound by the Rasmussen Company of Winnipeg, who specialize in printing cookbooks. Like all good cookbooks the contents are sorted into manageable sections that include salads, soups, veggies, breads, main dishes and desserts, and there is a handy index at the back.

Certain recipes shout “Try Me”, with names like Love Salad, a rice salad that combines select veggies in a cashew, shallot soy sauce dressing.

Others like Cole Lake Catfish Soup, submitted by Ioma Robinson, appears simple to make, calling for just four ingredients  and a dozen catfish. According to Ioma's note the soup was a popular one and  “was made when the Piccadilly Sunday School picnic used to be held at the Shultz picnic ground on Cole Lake.”

Other recipes seem the perfect comfort food for winter’s coldest days, like Nancy's own French Onion Soup, which calls for wine and whiskey or Betty Revell’s Brocolli Onion Deluxe, which sounds like it might be hard to share. Others like Lynn Wilson’s Guinness Beef Stew sounds like the perfect after-ski or skate meal when a piping hot and heavy stew is the only thing that will do.

You can also find good old Canadiana here with Vera Brown's recipe for beaver tails.

Also on the sweet side, “Wacky Cake” a submission made in memory of both Emily Goodberry and Marlene Cousins, sounds intriguing as does Faye Asselstine's Ruby Slipper Cake, which sounds like something kids would love to both make and eat.

There is also a canning section that offers countless pickle recipes and a bonus section called “Extra Special”, offering candied nuts, peppermint patties, peanut brittle and my all time favorite- poppycock. Lansdell also included a Wild Game section that includes Charles Stewart’s recipe for Venison Salami, and a recipe for Roast Skunk submitted by Nancy, which harkens back to depression-era days when “rugged individuals were too proud to accept welfare and ate anything that they could shoot or trap.”

This cookbook is a historical community keepsake and it is no wonder that sales have been brisk. To date roughly 450 of the 500 copies printed have sold and Nancy is already planning a second printing. The cookbook is available at Local Family Farms, Nicole's Gifts, Main Street Mercantile & Tea Room, Leonards Fuels,  Willows Feed Store, Chris' Hairport and also from June Goodberry, 613-374-2019, and Nancy Lansdell at 613-374-3225.

Photo: Tafelmusik's artistic director, Jeann Larmon

In the late summer they performed in Rieti, Italy, and Irsee, Germany. In October they were in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Beijing, China; and Seoul, South Korea. In January they headed west to Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Edmonton, and Calgary. And this month they will be playing in Kingston and Ottawa.

Tafelmusik, North America’s leading Baroque Orchestra on period instruments, will be performing a Friday Night concert at St. James Catholic Church in Sharbot Lake on February 18.

And - get this - it is a pay what you can concert.

The genesis of the concert is interesting. Tafelmusik contacted John MacDougall of Verona, and told him they were looking for a location in Frontenac County to hold a show. MacDougall referred them to Marcel Giroux and pretty soon they were set to perform a show and workshop in the afternoon at St. James Catholic School, and a concert in the evening.

For details about the show and information about how to get tickets, look to next week’s edition of The News.

But in the meantime mark February 18 on your calendar. It will be an opportunity to see a style and quality of music such as has never been seen in Frontenac County, and may never be seen again.